LaMarcus Aldridge

Aldridge's 2016-17 campaign, and second season with the Spurs, saw him take another step back with his production. He ended up averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks across 32.4 minutes per contest, which translated to a slight dip in both his scorin...

The biggest fish in the free-agent market last summer, Aldridge decided to leave the Trail Blazers after nine successful seasons to sign a max deal with the Spurs in pursuit of a championship. As anticipated, the Spurs’ spread-it-around attack resulted in Aldridge’s overall numbers taking a hit, with his averages of 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game marking his lowest figures in those categories since 2009-10 and 2011-12, respectively. Aldridge was also impacted by coach Gregg Popovich’s decision to rest his starters periodically, missing four contests for maintenance reasons and averaging just 30.6 minutes per game. On a more positive note, Aldridge did take on a greater role as the year wore on, increasing his scoring in each successive full month of the season, culminating in an average of 26.8 points per game during the Spurs’ six-game playoff series loss to the Thunder. Part of Aldridge’s second-half success could be attributed to Tim Duncan’s role being downsized, but Aldridge can’t bank on that happening in 2016-17. Though Duncan has since retired, the Spurs have brought in Pau Gasol, who is expected to slide in as the new starter at center and play more minutes and see more touches than his predecessor. Expect Aldridge to get off to a better start to the season now that he has a year under his belt in Popovich’s system, but it would be unwise to bet on him to completely replicate the scoring production he provided late in 2015-16 with Kawhi Leonard and now Gasol also in line for large offensive workloads.

2015-16

Aldridge muscled through multiple injuries last season in Portland, playing 71 games despite problems with illness, a sprained foot, and a torn ligament in his thumb, which required offseason surgery. Injuries aside, the four-time NBA All-Star averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 35 minutes per game. Though his shooting percentage from the field dropped to a career-low 47 percent, Aldridge's three-point percentage raised to a career-high 35 percent on a career-high 105 attempts, and his free-throw percentage raised to a career-high 85 percent. In San Antonio, it's doubtful that Aldridge will be asked to shoot many three-pointers with players like Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili, and Jimmer Fredette filling that need in a Spurs offense that thrives on prescribed roles. With Kawhi Leonard being the only Spur that played more than 30 minutes per game last season, Aldridge's minutes will most likely drop significantly this season, as he'll be sharing minutes with fellow post players Tim Duncan, David West, Boris Diaw, and Matt Bonner. Aldridge has said that he doesn't expect his role to change much with the Spurs, but it'd be silly to think he won't play less minutes on a team that limits all of their players' minutes.

2014-15

LaMarcus Aldridge has established himself as a perennial All-Star, earning his third consecutive bid in 2013-14 on the backs of a career-best 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds, while hitting 82 percent from the free-throw line, in 36 minutes per game. In addition to the elevated rate at the charity stripe, he fueled the scoring bump by launching almost three more field goal attempts per contest than his former apex - 20.6 versus 17.8 from the previous season. While he joined former Blazer Sidney Wicks as the sole members in franchise history to average at least 23 points and 11 boards in a single season, Aldridge's own marks settled into the eighth and seventh spots, respectively, on the league leaderboard last season. Unfortunately, Aldridge was unable to avoid the injury bug, missing five outings due to a strained left groin and eight more as a result of a back contusion suffered during a hard fall on his tailbone. Over the last three seasons, Aldridge has sat out at least eight games annually, and 32 total, during that span. His elbow jumper is one of the most unguardable shots in the league, all but guaranteeing 20-point performances on a nightly basis.

2013-14

Aldridge put up elite numbers in a strong 2012-13 season despite various injuries late in the year. The superstar forward posted lofty all-around averages of 21.1 points (48 percent from the field, 81 percent from the line), 9.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks in 38 minutes per game. While his field goal percentage took a dip from his previous season (51 percent down to 48 percent), it was likely the result of shifting his offensive focus from the low post to the high post and mid-range area. This did not stop him from being a top fantasy contributor last season, however, as his incredible 81 percent free throw clip gives him a competitive advantage over other power forwards. With Robin Lopez replacing J.J. Hickson at the center spot for this coming season, Aldridge may see more opportunities to score than last season, which could increase his fantasy value even further. Being at the prime of his career, Aldridge is likely to continue being an elite fantasy option in all formats, as long as he can remain healthy.

2012-13

Aldridge put up big numbers for a second consecutive season, averaging 21.7 points on 51.2 percent shooting and 8.0 rebounds per game while leading the Trail Blazers in minutes played. He suffered a hip injury late in the season, but he’s been pretty durable throughout his run in Portland. All indications at this point say the hip is fine, and Aldridge has been cleared for five-on-five work. At 27-years-old, we’re looking at an emerging star at power forward entering his prime years. Aldridge is the cornerstone of the franchise as it enters a transitional phase. There was a lot of roster turnover in the offseason, and no bigger change than at head coach, where Terry Stotts will takeover. Stotts is considered a great offensive mind in the NBA, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can draw more production from Aldridge. Finding a center to lineup next to Aldridge will be a concern going forward. Aldridge had been anticipating playing with 7-2 Roy Hibbert, whom the Blazers signed to an offer sheet, but the Pacers matched the offer sheet to keep Hibbert. For now, teams can collapse on Aldridge, but he’s very polished on the low blocks and has a mid-range game as well. He’ll find his offense, and the team will likely lean on Aldridge with rookie Damian Lillard expected to be the starting point guard.

2011-12

After three years of teasing fantasy owners with his superstar potential, Aldridge finally put together a monster season. The Blazers big man set career-highs in points (21.8), rebounds (8.8) and free-throw percentage (79.1) as the team’s primary scoring option. He also picked up his play on the defensive end of the court, averaging 1.0 steals and tying a career-high with 1.2 blocks per game. A rash of injuries to the Blazers’ frontcourt forced Aldridge to log a career-high 39 minutes per game, putting him among the league leaders in playing time. With injury-prone players like Greg Oden and Marcus Camby expected to be on the roster again this season, Aldridge will once again take on a heavy workload. And unlike most of his teammates, Aldridge has been extremely durable, missing just six games over the past three seasons. Brandon Roy’s long-term future is now up in the air due to chronic injury problems, making Aldridge the new centerpiece of the franchise. At 6-11, 246, the 26-year-old power forward has the size and tools to be one of the better options at his position for years to come. Target him early in drafts with confidence.

2010-11

Aldridge has shown flashes of big-time potential in his first four NBA seasons, but really hasn't developed into the superstar big man some expected him to be. He's a good and efficient scorer (17.9 points per game last season on 49.5 percent shooting from the floor), but doesn't rebound (8.0 per game) or block shots (0.6 per game) as much as someone with his physical tools (7-0, 235) might. His free-throw shooting (a very solid 75.7 percent last season) makes up for some of those shortcomings, however. In years past, some portion of his fantasy value has come when he's filled in at the center spot, but with Marcus Camby re-signed and both Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla expected back this season, the Blazers are particularly deep (if injury-prone) in the middle.

2009-10

While Aldridge hasn’t developed into a superstar yet, he’s become a very good player, averaging 18.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks last season. He’s just 24 years old, so there’s room for further growth, and it appears Greg Oden’s presence won’t be a huge hindrance after all, as Oden’s offensive game is extremely limited even when he’s not injured. Aldridge has nice touch from the charity stripe, hitting 78.1 percent of his free throws last year, but for someone who is 6-11, 240, his work on the boards leaves a lot to be desired. Portland’s roster and offensive philosophy remain mostly the same from last season, and the one main addition of point guard Andre Miller should only create more scoring opportunities for Aldridge. If Oden were actually able to stay healthy and develop a low post game, it might cut into Aldridge’s production, but that scenario doesn’t appear all that likely. Aldridge is a safe, if not overly exciting option.

2008-09

The Trailblazers’ roster is truly an embarrassment of riches. Brandon Roy was Rookie of the Year and is already one of the most respected floor leaders in the league. Greg Oden makes his much-anticipated and microfracture-delayed debut this season. And no one’s talking about Aldridge, who happens to be one of the best young fours in the Association. Aldridge had an outstanding sophomore season, averaging 17.8 points, 7.6 boards and 1.2 blocks despite playing significant minutes out of position at center. Oden’s arrival allows Aldridge to shift to the four spot, where he should be even more dangerous, using his mid-range jumper to shoot over defenders or his quickness to go around ‘em. And with Oden around to backstop the defense, Aldridge may be able to gamble a bit more on defense and rack up better block/steal numbers. One more benefit: Aldridge is on the slight side for a seven-footer and has missed 25 games due to injury in his first two seasons; the shift to the high post means a bit less banging – and could cut down on bench time.

2007-08

The second overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Aldridge was finishing his rookie season strong (14.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 52.9% FG in his last 15 games) before being sidelined by a treatable heart condition. Aldridge has returned to the court, though, and was dominant in the Las Vegas Summer League. With 2007 top overall pick Greg Oden out for the season Aldridge is likely to assert himself even more at both ends of the court and will likely be the team's go-to guy in the post. He still has a thin frame for an NBA big man, which makes him an injury concern, but with his length and polished post moves he has the talent to make his name known to the fantasy public by season’s end.

2006-07

Aldridge is perhaps the most skilled rookie big man this season, and at seven-feet tall he has the height to grow into a legitimate NBA center. Unfortunately, Aldridge has a lot of physical development needed on his thin physique before he is ready to contribute meaningfully on the court. Currently he would get pushed out of his desired position on the block, and defensively he can’t match up with the power of NBA big men. Also, Aldridge has just undergone shoulder surgery that will sideline him until after the season begins which will further stunt his development process. At this point he is probably not worth drafting in most league formats, unless it is a very deep and/or keeper league.

2003-04

Aldridge is quick and athletic with some nice moves down in the paint, including a baby hook shot. He has improved on his outside shot. His toughness and efforts down in the paint are major weaknesses. Although he has committed to Texas, he has declared for the draft. Because he doesn't have an agent, he is able to return to Texas if not drafted. However, Aldridge is still projected as a late first round pick.